Hero, Heartbreak, Happiness

Once upon a time, a little girl named May was born in a land far, far away.  Okay, she was born in, well, I don’t know, but I have a weakness for remembering the little families ~~ in this case, a little family of three.

courtesy of Michael Cremer - Find A Grave

Lt Jennings Bryan Easley was the son of Jennings Bryan Easley Sr & Rosella Manchester Ackerman – it’s the Ackerman line that traces back to Hezekiah Rogers Jr & Hannah Vincent.  He was born in 1913 at Memphis, TN and signed up in 1941 to serve.  In Aug 1942, he married Ethel and tragically died in 1945 while fighting in the Philippines.

His wife Ethel died a little over a year later. 

The Daily News, Thurs, 25 Jul 1946
Mrs May Fay Easley of Williamsburg, widow of Lt Jennings Bryan Easley, died in the Allegheny Valley Hospital, Tarentum, at 11 pm Saturday, July 20, 1946, following an illness of several months. Born in Williamsburg on December 19, 1914, she was the daughter of Freg G And Eva (Querry) Fay. She was married to Lt Jennings Bryan Easley on August 15, 1942 at Augusta, Georgia. Lt Easley was killed on Luzon during World War II. Surviving are: her mother, a daughter, May Fay Easley, and a brother, John B Fay, all of Williamsburg; and a sister, Mrs Chester D Doverspike, Oakmont. Mrs Easley was educated at Williamsburg High School and the Altoona Hospital School of Nursing. She also completed a post-graduate course at Graudate Hospital, Philadelphia. She was a member of the Williamsburg Methodist Church. She had a host of friends and will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Funeral services were conducted at the Friedline Funeral home in Williamsburg on Tuesday afternoon at 2 pm.

North East High School, 1961 - Ancestry

Leaving little 3 year old May an orphan.  She was raised by her mom's sister Margaret and was blessed with a rich, full, life.

Toronto Star, 1 Jun 2017
May E. Moore passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep in her home in Toronto on May 14, 2017. Daughter of the late May (Fay) and Jennings Brian Easley, from the age of two and a half, she was raised by the late Chester and Margaret (Fay) Doverspike. She graduated in 1961 from North East High School in North East, Pennsylvania, having been a member of the National Honor Society, senior prom queen and a cheerleader. She had been moderator of the Youth Group at First Presbyterian Church of North East and also Worthy Advisor of Girls. May received a Bachelor's degree in English from Pennsylvania State University in 1965, followed by a Master's degree in Secondary Education from Michigan State University, a Specialist Certification in School Librarianship, Faculty of Education, University of Toronto, a Master's degree in Library Science from the University of Western Ontario and a Doctorate in Library Science from the University of Leeds, England. May also held Ontario Secondary School Principal Certification. She moved to Canada, where she was an English teacher and Librarian in both the North York and York Region Boards of Education. After retiring, she taught English and set up school libraries in Abu Dhabi, Oman and Qatar, as well as in Nepal and several other countries. On returning to Canada, May was involved in many volunteer programs related to teacher and education administrative training, student support and assisting women in returning to employment or changing careers. She was actively involved in various professional associations, as well as the Ontario and British Columbia chapters of American Democrats Abroad. Her volunteer efforts with several animal shelters in Canada, USA and the Middle East were significant. Her care at home of her beloved cats, Pouncer, Max and Teddy was exceptional. Survivors, Pouncer and Max are now at home with the Doverspike family in Erie. May enjoyed walking, travelling, great beaches and was a fan of the Penn State football team; she also enjoyed art galleries, museums and libraries. Having moved considerably, she was skilled at establishing an artfully-decorated, comfortable home wherever she lived. As she travelled, May readily made friends, with whom she kept in touch with kindness, generosity of spirit and support, such that her passing is a significant loss for so many in Canada, USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia. May understood and exemplified the true meaning of sisterhood and friendship. Two of May's favourite words were peace and tranquility, two qualities she not only sought, but also generously brought to the lives of others. May is survived and will be missed by her brother Chester Doverspike Jr. (Mary Beth) of Erie and cousin John Fay of Harrisburg. May will be especially missed by dear friends Greg Harrison (Comox, BC), Ken Junkin (Lindsay, ON), Lynda Rattenbury (Mississauga, ON) and Margaret Cameron (Toronto, ON). A Celebration of May's Life will be held on Sunday, June 25th at the Holiday Inn, Toronto Yorkdale, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.